As the temp increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your AC expenses under control you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Des Moines?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep a constant temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also result in a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify little issues before they turn into substantial troubles. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or away to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Heartland Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 515-344-3579 or contact us online now for more information.